Go goth, in a pot
No, we鈥檙e not talking about a witches鈥 brew; we鈥檙e talking about fall container gardening. This month, we met up with Jess Goehler, curator, Plant Collections, to create a wickedly beautiful piece of goth plant art. We hope her creation inspires you to add a goth gardening container of your own this Halloween.
(drawn from Victorian or Gothic gardening) is having more than a moment; it鈥檚 been all the rage for years. In 2024, it was dubbed one of gardening鈥檚 trendiest topics as gardeners, new and experienced, implemented dark, moody containers, sections of their space, or entire gardens.
The appeal is in the creativity:
Goth gardening features dark, dramatic-looking plants, but it also embraces mess, a wilder look, decay (no need to get rid of every dead flower or branch), found objects, and architectural elements like statues. A goth garden or container isn鈥檛 supposed to be perfect: The point is to step outside the box鈥攖o play with personality and aesthetic. It鈥檚 a great option for beginners who want to explore the possibilities of gardening without pressure to do it 鈥渢he right way.鈥
Want to get your hands dirty? Below are plants Jess recommends for your goth gardening container; you should be able to find them, or similar varieties, at Chicago-area gardening centers this time of year.
Scroll down for Jess鈥檚 own frightfully fun creation.
Celosia argentea INTENZ鈩 鈥楧ark Purple鈥
Bold scarlets, magentas, and purples are goth gardening staples, and this celosia does not disappoint with its intense color. Jess says its upright habit 鈥渢owers like the stained-glass windows鈥 you might see in Gothic architecture. Nice touch, Jess.
Heuchera 鈥楤lack Pearl鈥
No goth container would feel quite complete without dark foliage, and these glossy black coral bells come with the added intrigue of purple-hued undersides. It鈥檚 easy to grow and hard to kill its black soul (er, leaves).
Viola x wittrockiana 鈥楥lear Violet鈥
These velvety purple blooms are pure enchantment; they鈥檙e winter survivor pansies and can tough it out deep into the colder days, filling out your container with flair and color for the long haul.
Hedera helix
Also known as classic English ivy, Hedera helix might seem understated next to the bolder plants in your container, but it鈥檚 fulfilling a crucial role: adding a lush, overgrown look for a hint of mystery.
Brassica oleracea 'Ruby Perfection'
Ornamental cabbage is a fall classic. Not only is it frost-tolerant, but its silvery tones shapeshift to redder hues deeper into the season. One of the beauties of goth gardening is celebrating nature鈥檚 organic changes, and this plant does just that.
Symphyotrichum novi-belgii 鈥楳arie III Dark Pink鈥
Jess describes these asters as 鈥渂oisterous.鈥 They bring the drama with their bold pink petals, and make a perfect choice for a starring role in your container, since a little cold won鈥檛 scare them off.
Capsicum annuum 鈥極nyx Red鈥
Ornamental peppers add a witchy pop of accent color and texture, and Jess used a few types in her container鈥攊ncluding this one, with its black foliage and blood-red (inedible) fruit.
Rose hips 鈥 Rosa sp.
Rose hips are used in teas, pies, and鈥otions? Historically medicinal, they鈥檙e gangly and climbing. Use them with a found object, like Jess did, for a vertical, architectural flourish.
Water your container every two to three days, depending on dryness:
Check about 1 inch below the soil level to see if the soil feels dry, and if it does, it鈥檚 time to water. Containers in full sun, and containers you鈥檝e filled to the brim with plants (who could blame you), will also dry out faster. With proper care, a container using these plants can last up to a few months鈥攃arrying you through fall until it鈥檚 time for another adventure: your winter containers.
The final masterpiece
Jess incorporated a wire frame to shape the rose hips and round out the 鈥淭im Burton wedding鈥 vibe of her container. Get creative! Bonus points for a fog machine to transform your container into a true character in your Halloween display.